Changes to bus services in part of Sheffield are hitting pensioners in the pocket, campaigners claim.

Elderly people have been forced to splash out on taxis after the number 17 bus – which ran from Hillsborough to the city centre via Jordanthorpe and Chancet Wood – was axed to make way for several alterations to routes across the area.

But the new number 19, brought in by operator First to replace it, no longer stops outside Sheffield Lane Working Men’s Club on Hatfield House Lane with the nearest pick-up point almost a mile away.

Now local residents are mounting a campaign to re-instate the old service.

Gerald Commander, aged 61, of Parson Cross, said: “It used to be a good service and lots of people would get dropped off at Sheffield Lane Top.

“The new stop is right down by Stubbin Lane, it’s too far for most older people to walk.

“A lot have trouble on their feet, they can’t carry their shopping all that way.

“They say that these changes are supposed to be beneficial to passengers, but the only people this is benefiting are the taxi drivers. They must be making a fortune from all the people getting taxis.

“It’s not fair on pensioners already struggling.

“Replacements just aren’t good enough. It’s time they gave us back the 17 bus.”

First brought in the number 19 and 38 to replace the old service following a public consultation exercise in the south of the city last year.

Changes were also made to the number 35, 36 and 37 routes to accommodate passengers.

A spokesman for First said they were made because of ‘customer feedback’ but promised to look into the issue.